title: Alterations in circulating thyroid hormones and thyroxine binding globulin in chronic alcoholism.
abstract: The present study concerns eighteen chronic alcoholics with minimal liver damage. A significant reduction in total serum T4 with an accompanying drop in circulating TBG was observed in these otherwise euthyroid patients. During alcohol withdrawal, we observed a rapid increase in T4 and TBG into the normal range. We suggest that the fall in the level of circulating thyroxine-binding globulin is related to a defect in its synthesis or secretion by the liver due to ethanol consumption. Caution is recommended in the interpretation of thyroid function tests in chronic alcoholics.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013974:Thyroxine